Line clamp



April 1941- A. R. WILLIAMS 2,237,619

LINE CLAMP Filed Nov. 12, 1940 INVENTOR.

F atented ApnS, 19.41 7

UNITED 1 STATES PATENT OFFICE LINE CLAMP Allison R. Williams, YazooCity. Miss.

Application November 12, 1940, Serial No. 365.367

3 Claims.

This invention relates to line clamps and particularly to clamps used inmaking detachable connections to live lines such as electric powertransmission on distribution lines. The invention is concerned moreparticularly with a structure which provides for ready and positivedetachment whenit is desired to disconnect the clamp from the line.

It is customary in making transmission or distribution line connectionsto transformers, lightning arresters and the like, to utilize adetachable clamp often referred to as a live line clamp which ispositioned over the line and clamped in place by an insulated or liveline stick. A flexible connection leading from the clamp connects eitherto a transformer, a fuse, or other protective device. The tendency ofmodern practice is to utilize such clamps as a switching means fordisconnecting a, transformer whenever repairs or replacements are to bemade, and since the clamps are exposed to weather with its corrodingeffects, it frequently happens that the clamp breaks when an attempt ismade to loosen it. This leads to extreme difficulty in removing thebroken parts and placing a new clamp in position where the work must becarried on in proximity to a live line.

The object of the present invention is to provide a clamp in which thethreads or other operating parts of the clamp are protected against Ycorrosion, and the clamp may be detached readily under all conditions.Other objects and advantages will appear from the accompanyingdescription and the drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing a clamp 01 the present inventionattached to a transmission or distribution line conductor: and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view with the protective device shownin section.

in the drawing reference character 5 designates thcbody or a line clamphaving a supporting eye 8, a fixed hook-like jaw I, and a movable jaw I.Swivelled to the movable jaw 8 is a threaded shank 9 passing through athreaded opening H in arm ill of the clamp body and terminating in anactuating member here shown as an eye it. The movable jaw 81s grooved atI! to engage the rounded surfaces of a line conductor I! when the clampis tightened as shown in Fig. 1. The usual flexible connection l5 fromthe clamp is secured to the body as at I6.

When the clamp is in use the threaded shank 8 is eirposed to the weatherand subject to corrosion, and when the eye I! is turned to loosen theclamp the shank frequently breaks at its threaded connection ll. Henceit is proposed according to the present invention to surround the shank9 above the arm III with a sealing and enclosing flexible metal bellowsll of usual construction and capable of contraction and expansion as themovable jaw 8 is lowered and raised. The bellows is attached, as bysoldering, to the arm ill of the clamp at I! and to the movable jaw at19 so that in effect the shank 9 between the movable jaw i3 and the armIII is hermetically sealed against the entrance of air, water or othercorrosive agents. While mere protective enclosure may be sufiicient itis preferred to place within the bellows I! a small amount of oil,graphite or other lubricant which will keep the shank 9, and especiallyits threaded connection II to arm Ill, lubricated and protected againstcorrosion or other deterioration which might tend to weaken the shankand cause the breakage which has been prevalent heretofore.

It will be clear that with the present invention the placing of theclamp and tightening or loosening of the same may be carried out in theusual manner. The bellows may be attached to existing structures toprovide the benefits of the present invention and whenever it isnecessary to remove the clamp it will be found that the protected shankwill move readily through the arm of the clamp withoutbinding orbreakage, thus ensuring long life and continued effectiveness of theclamp.

The invention has been described as applied to transmission ordistribution line conductors, but it is obvious that it may be appliedto other live a conductors to which electrical connection is to be madeby means of a clamp of the character described.

What is claimed is:

1. A line clamp comprising a hook-like body having a fixed jaw formedintegrally therewith; a shank passing through the body in opposedrelation to the fixed jaw and terminating in an actuating member; amovable jaw connected to the end of the shank: means forming anactuating connection between said shank and said body for moving saidmovable jaw toward and from the fixed jaw upon manipulation of themember; and a flexible bellows enclosing said shank between the clampbody and the movable jaw and hermetically sealed to both said jaw andsaid body.

2. A line clamp comprising a body having a hook-like fixed jaw adaptedto support the body on a line conductor, and having an arm spaced fromsaid Jaw; a shank threaded through said arm in opposed relation to saidfixed jaw, said shank terminating in an actuating member beyond said armand remote from said fixed Jaw; a movable jaw swivelled to the threadedend of the shank within said arm and movable toward and from the fixedjaw; and a metal bellows sur rounding said shank and attached to bothsaid arm and said movable Jaw and forming a sealed chamber around saidshank between said arm and said movable jaw.

3. A line clamp comprising a clamp body having two spaced arms, one armbeing arranged a fixed jaw to be supported by a line conductor with theother arm disposed in opposed relation to it; a movable jaw; meanscarried by said other arm and connected to said movable jaw to move saidJaw into and out o! clamping relation to the fixed jaw; a memberextending from said other arm and operatively connected to said jawmoving means for actuating the same; and means connected to said movablejaw and to said other arm for enclosin and hermetically sealing said jawmoving means between the movable jaw and the other arm. said enclosingmeans being effective in both clamping and release positions of saidmovable jaw and permitting free movement thereof toward and away fromsaid fixed Jaw.

ALLISON R. WILLIAMS.

